Chlorine Spill in Graniteville, SC (January 6, 2005

The January 6, 2005 train derailment and subsequent release of chlorine in Graniteville, South Carolina provides an opportunity to assess preparedness for and responses to hazardous materials spills. The incident resulted in nine fatalities and the forced evacuation of residents within a one-mile radius of the derailment, many of whom were out of their homes for a week or more. The lessons learned from the experiences of both emergency managers and the affected residents will help improve preparedness efforts in the future. This research will also assist in our understanding of how people respond to extreme events and those factors that influence evacuation decision-making.